PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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Joe Andruzzi circa 2001

I’ll try to ease my way back into some Patriots stuff today, after all it is BB and my birthday, but it hasn’t been easy to think about football in the last day. Still, Patriots players like Joe Andruzzi certainly give us some hope.

Joe Andruzzi yesterday:

https://www.patspropaganda.com/joe-andruzzi-circa-2001-ill-try-to-ease-my-way/

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/12684/

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Gray was selected in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. However, due to their depth at offensive line, he never played for the team. He was cut before the start of the 1973 NFL season and claimed on waivers by the New England Patriots. Gray was recommended to Chuck Fairbanks, who had just taken over as head coach of the Patriots, by an Eastern Airlines pilot named Bruce Kostamo who had played for Fairbanks in high school.[5] Gray played in the final nine games of the ‘73 season, starting eight at left tackle. He continued to develop during the 1974 and 1975 seasons and by 1976 he was viewed as one of the best left tackles in the game. Gray was not only strong at run-blocking, but in pass-protection, as well. He was a major factor in quarterback Steve Grogan being sacked only 14 times in 1977.[6] Along with guard John Hannah, the two formed what was generally considered the best guard/tackle tandem in the NFL.[7] Gray and Hannah also combined with tight end Russ Francis to form one of the strongest left-side trios in the league. At the end of the 1976 NFL season, Gray was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the first time. Due in no small part to the efforts of Gray and Hannah, the Patriots enjoyed one of the finest seasons in franchise history in ’76, finishing with an 11-3 record. This earned them the AFC Wild card spot and a rematch with the Oakland Raiders. The two teams had met at Schaefer Stadium in week four of the regular season and the Patriots had handed the Raiders their only loss, a 48-17 drubbing. The rematch in Oakland would not go as well and the team’s hopes of winning it all were ended by a close and controversial loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions in the 1976 AFC Divisional playoff round.

Leon Gray – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://www.patspropaganda.com/gray-was-selected-in-the-third-round-of-the-1973/

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The Patriots announced Monday that three players have been selected as finalists for this year’s induction into the team’s hall of fame. This year’s finalists (listed in alphabetical order) are linebacker Tedy Bruschi, head coach Chuck Fairbanks and offensive tackle Leon Gray.

It Is What It Is » Tedy Bruschi, Leon Gray and Chuck Fairbanks finalists for Patriots Hall of Fame

https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-announced-monday-that-three-players/

How disappointed are you that the Pats aren’t able to get Emmanuel Sanders? And now that he’s staying with the steelers do you think the Pats will take a receiver in the first round?

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I certainly would’ve liked to add some explosive speed like Sanders would’ve brought, but really I’m excited to see what the Pats do in the draft now. It’s pretty rare that they enter a draft needing to add a potential starter at a position, especially one that is as high-profile as a wide receiver. Ultimately if Gronk/Hernandez are healthy and there at the end it doesn’t really matter that much who the other receiver is outside of Amendola, the Pats will still be pretty good and tough to defend. But the opportunity is still there to add an exciting playmaker on the outside. I’d be giddy to see a first-round pick starting on the outside.